Grenache

Traditionally in California, Grenache has mostly been planted in the warm Central Valley, to produce fruity, quaffable reds and pinks. But the emergence of Rhône blends, enthusiastically promoted by a band of winemakers known as the ‘Rhone Rangers’, has sparked an increase in plantings of Grenache in more esteemed California viticultural zones. Significant acreage of this grape is found in Santa Barbara and Monterey counties. Grenache’s ability to produce in warm climates has made it a workhorse varietal not only in California, but also in the warmth of South Australia and South Africa. Grenache-based wines tend to be high in alcohol, with attractive fruit qualities in youth. Grenache’s sweet berry character, makes it a successful candidate for rosé wines, the most famous coming from the southern French appellations of Tavel and Lirac. This hairy-leafed vine produces grapes naturally low in tannin and in color Read more »

Traditionally in California, Grenache has mostly been planted in the warm Central Valley, to produce fruity, quaffable reds and pinks. But the emergence of Rhône blends, enthusiastically promoted by a band of winemakers known as the ‘Rhone Rangers’, has sparked an increase in plantings of Grenache in more esteemed California viticultural zones. Significant acreage of this grape is found in Santa Barbara and Monterey counties. Grenache’s ability to produce in warm climates has made it a workhorse varietal not only in California, but also in the warmth of South Australia and South Africa. Grenache-based wines tend to be high in alcohol, with attractive fruit qualities in youth. Grenache’s sweet berry character, makes it a successful candidate for rosé wines, the most famous coming from the southern French appellations of Tavel and Lirac. This hairy-leafed vine produces grapes naturally low in tannin and in color. These qualities are exacerbated if the vine is allowed to overproduce, which it does willingly. The grape is most often found playing a supporting role in blended wines. Throughout the Mediterranean and California, Grenache is partnered with a long list of varietals, including Tempranillo, Syrah, Mourvèdre, Carignan and Cinsault. Its strength is its ability to grow in arid and windy conditions, and it’s particularly suited to warm coastal regions of California, Spain and France. The most planted grape in Spain, where it is known as Garnacha, it is found in almost every region of that country. When blended with Tempranillo in Rioja, Garnacha can provide the wines of the region with body and alcoholic strength. In France, it is extensively grown in the Southern Rhône, Provence and Languedoc-Roussillon. It is a component of almost every appellation in the south. In the Southern Rhône, it partners with the more tannic Syrah, to add youthful fruit and alcohol to Côtes de Rhône wines. Its ability to withstand the bluster of the Mistral wind permits it to grow easily in the Rhône’s most famous appellation, Chateneuf de Pape. In the few instances in which Grenache is grown on infertile soil with very limited yields, it can produce impressive, crimson-pigmented wine, with rich fruit character.

You’re a member of the ‘Rhône Ranger’ band. Your groupies think you’re ‘hot’, even when you're boozy and "strung out". You’re hairy, yet they want you, and you’re always a willing partner. Is it your Spanish heritage that makes them crazy? Perhaps, but really it’s because you have a rather sweet personality. Grenache you’re the most famous backup guitarist, playing a lightly tannic beat in some of the better groups.
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Excellent for the vintage, A Cambie/ Soloman effort foe US only. This lush on the nose and the palate. Red and black berry fruits, garrique, herbs and spice compliment chewy, medium tannins and balanced acidity frame the wine with a medium length fin...

Light and effusive at the start this grows with a little time in the glass. Plenty of cherry and red plum with a touch of spice, anise and moderate tannins pair with good acidity and a relatively short but lively aftertaste. Drink now - 89 points - Paul

Drank pop and pour. Classic grenache on the nose and fairly translucent in the glass. Medium weight and red fruited in the mouth with some acidity. Finishes with some pretty strong green tannins. Classic in style. We'll see what day two brings.
Second ...

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Almost cranberry in color with wispy notes of cherry, plum, spice and Barossa dust leading to an acidic and moderate tannins in the finish. Short on aftertaste but good on the palate. Drink now-89 points - Paul
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Wine review
by
rckr1951

September 2017

Fun grenache from Adelaida out of Paso. Not overly complex but fresh and smooth mainly showing ripe black cherry but with with subtle notes of dark plum and just a touch of leather. There is a medium amount of acidity, smooth light tannins and a medium length finish. (can y'all see the label?)
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Had a little going away party for a friend that is moving to Jefferson City, ... ... '14 Yalumba Old Vine Grenache is one of my favorites when I remember to look for it. This was cranberry colored, big aromatics, cherry that sweetened up as it warmed - great for the bonfir
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Excellent effort. Higher than most in alc.this does however, have plenty of fruit, spiciness and vanilla that lead to juicy acidity and smallish tannins. Not built for long term aging, drink through 2019 - 91 points - Paul
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Wine review
by
rckr1951

September 2017

I don't know what zins you've had, but I love zins and so do several ... friend that can't stand grenache, puckers up every time he tries it. Yet he loves it in CdP's and can drink them by the gallon. In Italian wines you may be tasting Primitivo. Sorta the Italian version of zin.25&nbs
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The wine is made from a combination of Grenache, Grenache Gris, and Mourvedre grapes, hand-harvested from sixty-five to eighty year-old vines. Gentle direct press prevents bitterness. Even the taille (a type of juice produced during the pressing process that contains more tannin than sugar or acidity) is discarded. What we have here is bottle th...
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Wine review
by
Snooth Editorial

Jul 3, 2010

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458150amoro458150

Dec 19, 2009

We just received an 'El Bombero' as a gift. I'm not familiar with it & came for an education.